About Us

The Asia-Pacific Leadership Network (APLN) is an NGO and network of political, military, and diplomatic leaders and experts from across the Asia Pacific, working to address global security challenges, with a particular focus on reducing and eliminating nuclear weapons risks.

APLN works to ensure that the diversity of voices from our region are more effectively heard in global security debates to achieve practical policy change. Our activities are focused on addressing strategic rivalry in the region, facilitating dialogue and nuclear risk reduction measures, managing the China-US competition, and promoting nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. We produce research, host events, and undertake advocacy work.

The APLN office is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. With a team based in Seoul and in countries across the region, we are looking to recruit a talented new individual to join our organisation.

 

About You

APLN is seeking a Policy Fellow to support its growing work on transtheatre nuclear risk reduction and security cooperation, as well as other active projects. While this role will begin with the successful candidate working two days a week, there may be scope for later expansion based upon available funding and mutual interest. We aim for the successful candidate to start in March 2025.

As Policy Fellow, you will play an important role in contributing to APLN’s research, policy impact and events agenda. You are experienced in producing and delivering high-quality research and analysis. You can effectively manage competing priorities and can work collaboratively on projects. You will have at least three years of experience in policy or a relevant research role. You should have a university degree in a related field. Fluency in written and verbal English is essential. Due to funder restrictions, you must be a citizen of either Japan, ROK, Australia, or New Zealand.

 

Job Description and Applicant Requirements

Job Title: Policy Fellow

Recruiter: Asia-Pacific Leadership Network (APLN)

Closing date: Ongoing until the right candidate is appointed

Salary: $13,200 per year ($33,000 annual salary pro-rated to 0.4 FTE)

Location: Remote working mostly with occasional work travel

Duration: Part-time (two days a week)

 

Duties

Contributing to APLN research and policy impact agenda by:

• Supporting research, events, and logistics for a major project exploring Asia-Pacific and European transtheatre nuclear and strategic risk reduction opportunities.
• Drafting briefing papers, commentaries and reports in English to a high publishable standard.
• Conducting research and analysis related to the core themes in the APLN agenda.
• Publishing comment pieces on the APLN website and in other prominent outlets.
• Designing policy interventions on the back of the research work to maximise real world policy impact.
• Support publication planning and production, proof reading and editing content, and preparing content for print.
• Helping to identify possible sources of funding and sponsorship.
• Contributing to the drafting of grant applications and reports.
• Representing the APLN at conferences and meetings.
• Doing media and briefing journalists on issues related to the APLN agenda.
• Monitoring international news and events relevant to the organisation activities and mission.
• Contributing to the growth of the APLN network and extending the APLN’s contact network.
• Helping to update the APLN website and associated social network sites such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and BlueSky.

Contributing to the APLN events agenda by:

• Organising and managing conferences, workshops and roundtable discussions.
• Ensuring that they are run efficiently, actions completed on time and within budget.
• Providing regular updates to APLN senior management on planning, budgets and activity.
• Helping to identify possible sources of funding and sponsorship.

 

Requirements

Essential

• University degree in a relevant subject (including strategic studies, international relations, political science, etc.)
• 3+ years of professional work on research-related initiatives, ideally within a think tank or NGO, university, government, international organization.
• Fluency in written and verbal English.
• Strong record of research in related topics.
• Excellent written, editorial and analytical abilities coupled with strong organizational and planning skills.
• Ability to prioritize workload and meet deliverables.
• A willingness to work to a flexible timetable, which could include occasional commitments in the evening or early morning and international travel.
• An excellent teammate who is comfortable with working closely with others based in different countries and settings.
• Reside in the Asia-Pacific region (not more than a 5-hour time difference with Seoul).
• A proven deep interest and excellent understanding of international affairs, foreign policy, and defence issues.
• Citizenship of Japan, ROK, Australia, or New Zealand.

Highly Desirable

• Fluency in an Asian language.

How to Apply

• To apply, please email your CV and a cover letter detailing how you meet the selection criteria (with Policy Fellow in the subject line) to Ms. MinHee Chang Oh, APLN Operations Manager, at changmh@apln.network
• Please restrict your CV to no more than two pages of A4. This should clearly outline any relevant experience to date.
• Please indicate your notice period if you are currently employed, and the city where you will be located if hired.
• Please include at least two references.
• For any inquiries regarding the application process, contact MinHee Chang Oh at changmh@apln.network